Letter: Legislative forums important to Quirmbach

Tuesday

May 9, 2017 at 12:01 AMMay 9, 2017 at 10:11 PM

The Tribune recently published a letter, “Other Legislators Have Not Attended Forums,” in which the letter writer stated, “I have attended four events in Ames, one in Story City and one in Nevada, and Sen. Herman Quirmbach was at only one.” Several emails to the letter writer to learn the specific events to which she referred received no reply. Thus, I cannot respond directly to her claims.

However, here is what I can say. The League of Women Voters of Ames & Story County sponsored five legislative forums this spring: two in Ames (Jan. 14 and April 8), two in Nevada (Jan.28 and March 25), and one in Gilbert (Feb. 11). I attended all five.

I also attended the three Ames Chamber of Commerce forums: their Legislative Kickoff on Dec. 16, a luncheon forum with Leadership Ames on Jan. 27, and a Legislative Luncheon on March 24. I also pledged to attend a Legislative Luncheon on Feb. 17, which the Chamber, however, cancelled.

I attended five other public or quasi-public forums prior to or during the legislative session: the Story County school boards’ and superintendents’ forum on Nov. 15; a formal meeting with the Ames City Council and Mayor on February 10; the Ames4Change forum at the Memorial Union on Feb. 12; a forum on Feb. 18 in Boone; and a forum at Collegiate United Methodist Church on March 12.

The only forums I am aware of missing were both scheduled on Dec. 12, one with the Farm Bureau and one with the Story County Juvenile Justice Committee. That day I was tied up at the forum times giving back-to-back final exams in the courses I taught at Iowa State University.

Legislative forums are very important to me as opportunities to listen to constituent concerns so that I can better represent the people of my district. If any group is holding a forum and would like to invite me, please call me at home at (515) 292-8984 or email me at hcqbach@gmail.com.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach, Ames

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